Ducati's move to take on the might of Honda in MotoGP this season is a brave step by the Italian manufacturer.
The Bologna-based outfit, better known as the builders of exotic road-going machines and winning World Superbike titles, have thrown their lot in with grands prix this season.
The gamble is not turning their back on Superbikes - Neil Hodgson's double race win in the opening round at Valencia means their total of titles should grow to 10 by the end of the season.
But the possibility of being blown away by Honda is sure to have raised the odd eyebrow at a company used to enjoying on-track success through the likes of Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss.
Australian Bayliss has made the switch to MotoGP where he will spearhead Ducati's challenge to the dominance of Honda and Valentino Rossi.
Bayliss is joined by GP regular Loris Capirossi but neither will start the season as a favourite for success.
After battling his way through a gruelling series of test sessions Bayliss will line up on the grid at Suzuka on April 6 and naturally there will be doubts in his mind.
Although he has a World Superbike title to his name, Bayliss will be racing a new bike against a completely different set of opponents.
During pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona Bayliss admitted he was not trying to run before he could walk.
"If I push too hard on a bike and track that I am learning at the same time then I'll just end up putting myself in the wall and that's no good to anyone," admitted a candid Bayliss.
The Australian also admitted that he could not expect too much too soon in MotoGP despite remaining with a Ducati set-up he knows well and obviously feels comfortable with.
The less restrictive rules in MotoGP mean that Bayliss has been given a motorcycle to race which will clearly take some getting used to.
He said: "I'm a racer and like every racer I am here to be successful. I've had five years racing superbikes and it is quite a jump to move to a bike that has less weight and more power."
Capirossi has been experiencing fewer problems despite moving from the West Honda he rode last season to the Ducati Marlboro machine this season.
Capirossi was in record-breaking form on the 990cc Ducati Desmosedici when he set the fastest-ever speed by a grand prix motorcycle when he was timed at a staggering 203.9mph (328.2kmh) during testing at Catalunya.
The Italian recorded his record-breaking time at the end of the main straight of the the 2.937 mile (4.727km) circuit, winning a BMW sports car for achieving the feat.
Whether his motivation was to win the sports car or set the fastest time was not clear.
Capirossi said: "I'm so happy, I really wanted that, so I rode 110%.
"My fastest lap was hot, I went into a few corners a bit too fast but the bike still turned, no problem."
It remains to be seen whether Capirossi, who undoubtedly has the talent to win at MotoGP, can match team-mate Bayliss or even unsettle Honda's title holder Valentino Rossi will not be clear until they take to the Suzuka grid.
PA